Sunday 26 December 2010

Phew! Dodged a bullet there!?

Cooking Christmas lunch on the bbq might be something normal in Australia and other warmer parts of the world, but I was forced to do it yesterday when our oven went on the blink. Things turned out ok in the end, but I'm sure that it made for a funny sight- at least our guests were understanding.
Thanks to everyone for coming to visit- and thanks for a most enjoyable Christmas lunch!


Tune of the Day:  No Money   by Kings of Leon

Saturday 25 December 2010

It snowed!

Somehow a white Christmas morning does something for your appetite.......... Looking forward to lunch with our guests today and then taking it easy. Merry Christmas everybody!



Tune of the Day: If I Give My Soul     by Tom Jones

Saturday 18 December 2010

We have had a few good snowfalls and things are white at the moment

but it looks as if we will have warmer weather this coming week and a very small chance of a White Christmas.  Something tells me that it will bucket with snow on December 26......



Tune of the Day:  Abba Zaba     by Captain Beefheart (RIP)

Wednesday 15 December 2010

110 is not a good number

so, I really do need to get back into the swing of things at the gym and maybe start eating a little less.....



Tune of the Day: Saeta    by Miles Davis

Saturday 11 December 2010

You know how it is.....

a little while back I said "yes" to an invitation for this evening. A friend is turning 40 and hosting a small get-together;  it should be fun, but I am at home, tired and would gladly make a pot of tea and grab a book. Getting old, I guess.


Tune of the Day: My Baby Just Cares For Me   by Nina Simone

Friday 10 December 2010

Dinner on Wednesday night was good (even if I have to say so myself)

and it was nice to be able to sleep in a little and laze about the next day. Thursday was certainly better than today (Friday) when I didn't even make it out of the front door!


Tune of the Day:  Great Balls Of Fire  by  Jerry Lee Lewis

Wednesday 8 December 2010

Osso Bucco in the oven

and the guests are not arriving for another hour and a half. Time to take a shower, open some wine and organise the music. Bon Appetit!


Tune of the Day:   Peace Frog   by The Doors

Sunday 5 December 2010

It is still cold (not that that is a problem) and all about is white

but over the next couple of days things are going to warm up again and the snow will disappear. I only hope that it comes back for Christmas!



Tune of the Day:   Hurricane Drunk   by Florence & The Machine

Thursday 2 December 2010

A visit to the Christmas Market in Freiburg today

and a great lunch! It was nice to have a walk about, take a few photos and enjoy a sunny day. Back to the gym tomorrow  :-)


Tune of the Day:  Both Ends Burning     by Roxy Music

Saturday 27 November 2010

Hey, it is Saturday afternoon! I have had a sleep in, been to the gym and about

to head out for a small party this evening. It is snowing outside and looks like we are going to have a few quiet days. Brunch tomorrow with the Heusi gang should be good fun.


Tune of the Day: Mutiny     by William Elliott Whitmore

Wednesday 24 November 2010

Tomorrow is turkey time

and after what I am sure will be a quiet and frustrating day in the office we have been invited out for dinner. Looking forward to catching up with some friends for dinner and then a couple of weeks off starting on Saturday. Did I tell you already that I was having some time off?  :-)


Tune of the Day:  Supernaturally     by    Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds

Sunday 21 November 2010

I was in Konstanz briefly yesterday

and it is a pleasant, small German city on the Bodensee very close to Switzerland. It was nice to walk around and take a few photos and watch the Swiss shopping-tourists prop up the local economy  :-)


Tune of the Day: Tattoo     by The Who

Friday 19 November 2010

It is nice to see the end of that week

and I'm looking forward to getting out tomorrow to get a little sunshine and take some photos. With a little luck, I might even find a nice lunch as well   :-)



Tune of the Day:  Gun Street Girl   by Tom Waits

Sunday 14 November 2010

What was surely one of the last warm, sunny weekends this year

and I have been at home feeling like rubbish. Sadly, I couldn't even make it to Cook Club last night (and I am told that the ladies cooked up a storm).
Bring on Monday.



Tune of the Day:    The Part You Throw Away    by Tom Waits

Thursday 11 November 2010

Lest We Forget

luckily I am of a generation which hasn't seen too much in the way of conflict. Today is always a day to remember others who weren't so lucky......


Tune of the Day:  Move On Up   by Curtis Mayfield

Sunday 7 November 2010

Sunday evening after a relaxing weekend

and my thoughts are turning to the coming week. Hey! Next Saturday is Cook Club- I wonder what the girls have in store for us?!



Tune of the Day:  California über Alles   by The Dead Kennedys

Saturday 6 November 2010

RBA, BOJ, ECB, FOMC, BOE, NFP.......

do you need any more on your first week back in the office? Gosh, with the US Elections thrown into the mix, there were enough excuses for people to choose from.....



Tune of the Day:   Waters of March     by Holly Cole

Thursday 28 October 2010

It has been a relaxing few days and I have managed to take some photos

have a couple of nice lunches, take it easy and catch up on some sleep but sadly not too much serious exercise. Just looking forward to Oktoberfest in Zürich with some mates tomorrow evening and then it is the weekend again................ golly gosh, where did the week go?!


Tune of the Day:   Indiscipline    by King Crimson

Sunday 24 October 2010

It is a wonderful feeling to be at home on a Sunday afternoon

awaiting guests and knowing that you don't have to go to work in the morning! We have been cooking and getting ready for a few visitors and I'm just about to organise some more music. Fingers crossed that the weather plays along this week- I would like to be able to spend a day hiking and try to take a few photos too.......


Tune of the Day: Candle in the Wind    by Elton John

Sunday 17 October 2010

One of the great pots of onion soup of the modern era

along with some cheese and onion "monkey bread". I think that "Cookie" has just been waiting for the cooler weather to come along before lighting up the kitchen! Thanks- it was fantastic. POOT!


Tune of the Day:  Custard Pie    by Led Zeppelin

Tuesday 12 October 2010

Sunday evening with our guests was fun

although we probably drank more whisky than one should on a Sunday night.......
One of the guys in my office was asking me about Patek watches and we were discussing a few things- as much as I love their mega-expensive complicated watches, I would be more than happy with this one designed by Gerald Genta.


Tune of the Day:   Swordfishtrombone   by Tom Waits

Saturday 9 October 2010

As much as I love my nieces and nephews

some of them can be pretty cheeky. I mean, who would ever dream of sending a birthday card like this to an uncle?  :-)

Thanks guys! It was lots of fun.




Tune of the Day:   Waitin' For A Superman     by The Flaming Lips

Monday 4 October 2010

Well,........ at least Monday is behind us

and now we can get on with the rest of the week. It is great that it is going to stay warm and be nice for the next few days at least- maybe out on the bike again on the weekend :-)



Tune of the Day:  Battle Of Evermore    by Led Zeppelin

Saturday 2 October 2010

It has been a busy week

which included a great night out in Vaduz with Manfred (still can't really believe that we drank 2004 Rockford Basket Press for CHF78!?) and a couple of visits to Isakaya. Took the time this afternoon to go for a walk with Catherine and took a few photos. There are some great colours out there at the moment- it was nice to be able to capture a few.
Looking forward to the Grinderman concert in Zürich on Tuesday night and then a visit to Oktoberfest on Thursday...... giddy up!


Tune of the Day: Evil     by   Grinderman


Sunday 26 September 2010

It has been a pleasant weekend

and we had a nice dinner at home last night with a friend. Today turned out to be much better than I was expecting, which is good news for the participants in the Many Hill Show. I don't know if I would be keen on 10+ hours on the mountain bike in the pouring rain......


Tune of the Day:  My Ashes    by Porcupine Tree

Sunday 19 September 2010

At last..... the end of the birthday season (at least briefly)

and I can get back to a normal type of life......  :-)



Sadly, there is no tune of the day.......

Sunday 12 September 2010

September is a busy time

and I have just gotten off the phone after wishing baby brother Steven a happy birthday. Angus and Campbell both turned a year older on Friday and I had something to celebrate yesterday as well. We had a fun little gathering last night- which was a surprise to me. Many thanks to Catherine for organising and to Tiffany for making the tortilla!
Many thanks to everyone who called and sent messages!


Tune of the Day:   Tom Cat     by Muddy Waters

Wednesday 8 September 2010

The first three days of this week have possibly been the slowest of all time

and hopefully things will pick up tomorrow and Friday. At least I am going for a drink with les Chefs Giorgio and Enzo tomorrow evening- who knows..... things might get right out of hand    :-)
Bring on the weekend- and my annual golf outing!


Tune of the Day: Honey    by Kruder and Dorfmeister

Sunday 5 September 2010

Went for a bike ride and brunch this morning

and even though it wasn't quite as planned, things turned out very well and it was a most enjoyable little trip. The sun is still shining and we have had a most pleasant weekend.
I was in the city yesterday and checked out the opening of the new Markthalle- which is an indoor marketplace for foodstuffs with a nice little restaurant attached. I'm sure that it will turn out to be a great addition to town but yesterday seemed to be a gathering of the "stupid, ignorant women with prams club" taking place, so it didn't really light my fire......


Tune of the Day:    Birdland     by Patti Smith

Friday 3 September 2010

Welcome to the weekend......

a little bike-riding, some photography and a bbq should make things pretty pleasant on my side. And a big Happy Birthday to Giorgette for September 4th.



Tune of the Day:  Do The Murray     by Los Lobos

Sunday 29 August 2010

I'm off to Michi's 40th birthday party in a few hours

and it should be very enjoyable. We are in for a nice day and I'm sure that the guests will be up for a fun time.
My new book arrived yesterday- luckily I was in town and able to collect it. It will take some reading, but is destined to become a modern classic.



Tune of the Day: Metal Guru    by T Rex

Thursday 26 August 2010

The walk around and bbq on Sunday were most enjoyable

but sadly this week has been ordinary at best. I'm really looking forward to having a few drinks and dinner with a couple of mates tomorrow evening- should be a pleasant way to start the weekend!
I hope that you enjoyed the lunch, Goodie.


Tune of the Day:  Black Dog  by Led Zeppelin

Saturday 21 August 2010

I'm going out for another walk around tomorrow

and looking forward to taking some more photos. The invitation to a bbq afterwards is just icing on the cake!
Reading "Low Side Of The Road" at the moment- a Tom Waits biography. A lot going on in that book......


Tune of the Day:   Heartattack and Vine    by Tom Waits

Wednesday 18 August 2010

The warm weather is coming back

and that is good news for me. Although I enjoy autumn and winter, I am not yet ready to pack my shorts and polo shirts away for the year. Still have some bike riding to do and hopefully a few barbecues too.




Tune of the Day:  Cheques From Chairman Mao     by Wayne Kramer

Saturday 14 August 2010

And they say that the weather in London is bad?!?

Arrived back home at lunchtime- it was a nice enough day, but the clouds have settled in and we have had pretty good rain falling for a few hours now. Perfect timing for those running around at the Street Parade in far too little clothing.


Tune of the Day:  Tommy     by The Who

Tuesday 10 August 2010

Off to London in a couple of days

and as much as I would love to walk around taking photos, I just won't have time. A chance to catch up with some customers and visit our London office- and hopefully get a little sleep too.....


Tune of the Day:   Posse in Effect    by The Beastie Boys

Sunday 8 August 2010

Another great Isakaya/Okara party yesterday

and it appeared that most of the guests enjoyed themselves as much as I did  :-)  Many thanks to Hiro, Ken and the rest of the dream team.



Tune of the Day:  Riders on the Storm    by The Doors

Wednesday 4 August 2010

I really wish that I had gone off on holiday with the Mooses!

This has been a dreadful week in the office so far- fingers crossed that we can do something worthwhile tomorrow and Friday to make things look a little better. I have, at least, organised a quick trip to London next week to see a few people...... maybe that will help.


Tune of the Day:   Appreciation    by Jelly and Fish

Sunday 1 August 2010

Happy Swiss National Day

guests arriving in half an hour and I'm looking forward to lighting the bbq. I don't have a problem with steak and red wine on a Sunday evening......



Tune of the Day:   Werewolves of London    by Warren Zevon

Friday 30 July 2010

I wish that I was landing in Sydney this Saturday morning

and I can think of plenty of people whom I would love to catch up with. At least the weekend should be good here and with the sun coming out and Sunday being August 1st (also affectionately known as Rockford Day) we are in for a bbq or two.
Light my fire!
BTW- how could you do this to me, Moose?


Tune of the Day:  Space Junk     by Devo

Thursday 29 July 2010

Welcome to Thursday!

At least we are one step closer to the weekend and Goodie has (hopefully) packed his bag and gotten ready to fly out to Oz. It might be fun to meet him there for a cool drink......




Tune of the Day:  Tokyo Joe     by Bryan Ferry

Tuesday 27 July 2010

It is nice to have visitors from home and this time

we have my favourite uncle and aunt here for the evening. They are in the middle of a European tour which has included Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Paris, Amsterdam and Germany and which will continue on into Italy. Looking forward to lighting the bbq a little later and having some other friends over to join us for a relaxing evening.
I read the freebie commuter newspaper this morning on the way to the office and spotted a fantastic website which promises all sorts of cool stuff......


Tune of the Day:  Black Dog     by Led Zeppelin

Sunday 25 July 2010

It was good to chat today Gazza

and thanks for the link to Spike Milligan- he was certainly a nut-case and it was great to see some of that stuff again.
I was out today walking about and took some photos- nothing too ground-breaking but at least I managed to get some done! It would have been nice to have gone and photographed the Ironman here in Zürich today, but there is always next year for that sort of thing  :-)



Tune of the day:  Mr Zero   by The Yardbirds

Wednesday 21 July 2010

The boys in the TdF go back to work in the Pyrenees tomorrow

and there are a couple of scores to be settled before they arrive in Paris on Sunday. With only 8 seconds separating the two GC leaders and many (myself included) thinking that Contador was out of order on Tuesday, it will be interesting to see what sort of fight is left in Andy Schleck. I have my fingers crossed that either on the way up the Tourmalet or in the Time Trial he can do enough to grab the sack back!

Campbell...... what are you doing breaking your arm again, buddy?


Tune of the Day: Lost And Found    by Rollins Band

Saturday 17 July 2010

A mixed week

ended up with me going to the office on Friday to help out. After going through a tough time in the Money Market area our company made some cutbacks on Thursday and a good mate (as well as a few others) was let go. That meant all sorts of management scrambling on Friday and with another mate in London on a business trip, we were going to be very short of staff.
The beers and a couple of bottles of wine tasted OK with Peter in the evening, but we were both pretty down about losing Pipo from the office.


Tune of the Day:    Midnight Train To Georgia   by Gladys Knight

Wednesday 14 July 2010

Hey! It's hot

and I did manage to take a week off during what will probably be the warmest time of the year. I believe that we are in for another thunderstorm this evening- bring it on!



Tune of the Day:  Brass Neck    by DJ Food

Monday 12 July 2010

Congratulations to the Spanish

on their first ever victory in the World Cup. It was certainly well-deserved (although I would personally have rathered that the title went to Holland). The next person who tells me that the only team that beat the Spanish during the World Cup was the Swiss will get a smack in the chops  :-)


Tune of the Day:   Ain't No Sunshine   by Soul Bossa Trio

Saturday 10 July 2010

It is nice to receive post

and it is even nicer to receive post from nice people. Thanks for the card Kai- we hope that you have a lot of fun with your new football. Enjoy the rest of your holidays and try not to use your hands too much or Noodle might whack you again   :-)



Tune of the Day: Drive South    by John Hiatt

Wednesday 7 July 2010

In the orange corner.....

it was great to see the Cloggies get through to the World Cup Final last night after a victory over Uruguay. After the "hands on the goal line" incident, I was very happy to see Uruguay go home. Maybe there should be a rule change in that case............. it was definitely going to be a goal, the player broke the rule to stop the goal and his team ended up winning the match when the ensuing penalty went astray. I think that the idea of a "penalty goal" would be a good one. The referee awards a goal (instead of a penalty) and still sends the player to the showers with a red postcard. Thoughts??



Tune of the Day: Mutiny    by William Elliott Whitmore

Monday 5 July 2010

After a bit of a scare today, it turns out that "Man Doing" is ok

he took a pretty heavy tumble being a football star (either that or Noodle whacked him for using his hands) and was rushed off to hospital for x-rays and a proper check-up. Luckily he should be fit for the final. Hang in there, buddy!

 Tune of the day: Molasses   by the Coctails